Joey Hensley says he plans to delay “Don’t Say Gay” bill

UPDATE: Education Committee Chairman Richard Montgomery announced the bill would be moved to a “curriculum calendar” that will be taken up later in session. He gave no date when.

ORIGINAL POST: State Rep. Joey Hensley said this morning that he is planning to roll HB 229, the so-called Don’t Say Gay bill, at the request of House Education Committee Chairman Richard Montgomery.

The Tennessee Equality Project, a gay rights group, was planning to bring 100 people dressed in purple to the hearing on the bill scheduled for this afternoon. Chris Sanders, chairman of the group’s Nashville committee, said it was calling off the protest, though a few members may still turn out for the House Education subcommittee meeting where it was scheduled to be heard.

Hensley said he plans to package the bill, which restricts discussions about homosexuality in elementary and middle schools, with other curriculum legislation. He projected the delay will be for about three weeks.